Shatter and splatter: The contribution of mechanical and optical properties to the perception of soft and hard breaking materials

• DOI: 10.1167/18.1.14
• Publication Date: 2018-01-23T20:30:51Z
• Authors: Alexandra C. Schmid; Katja Doerschner
• Keywords: Adult; Optics and Photonics; Surface Properties; 05 social sciences; 150; Motion Perception; 535; Biomechanical Phenomena; Form Perception; Young Adult; ddc:150; Visual Perception; Psychology; Humans; ddc:150; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Photic Stimulation; Vision, Ocular

Research on the visual perception of materials has mostly focused surface qualities rigid objects. The substance like is less explored. Here, we investigated contribution of, and interaction between, optics mechanical properties to nonrigid, breaking materials. We created novel animations ranging from soft hard bodies that broke apart differently when dropped. In Experiment 1, were rendered as point-light movies varying in dot density, well "full-cue" optical versions translucent glossy opaque matte under a natural illumination field. Observers used scale rate each different attributes. 2 how much shape contributed ratings full-cue stimuli by comparing observers shown versus one frame animation. results showed had an interactive effect several material also found motion static cues provided lot information about qualities; however, combined, they influenced observers' interactively. For example, some conditions, dominated over information; other it enhanced optics. Our suggest rating multiple attributes effective way measure underlying perceptual differences between nonrigid materials, this study first our knowledge show interactions task involving judgments qualities.